Willard Baldus, of rural Montevideo, MN died on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at his home seven days short of his 90th birthday. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, September 11, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Watson, MN with Rev. Larry Olson officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday afternoon and evening with the family present from 5 - 7 PM and with a prayer service at 6:00 P.M. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Montevideo. Willard Harris Baldus was born on September 15, 1919 in Story City, IA to Walter and Ida (Leininger) Baldus. He was baptized and received first Communion at Sts. Peter and Paul in Story City. He moved with his family at the age of 8 to Oakland, MN and later graduated from high school in Austin, MN. On October 5, 1941 he was united in marriage to Genevieve Dalen at Immanuel Lutheran Church near Watson, MN. They lived for several years in the Montevideo area, Oakland area and again in Montevideo before moving to Owatonna, MN in 1950. They lived there until moving back to the Watson/Montevideo area in 1994. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church near Watson and had served as church treasurer. He was a member of the Watson Lions Club and while in Owatonna was a member of the Eagles, Elks, was involved with Civil Defense and the Owatonna Diving Club. He enjoyed building, even doing his own electrical and plumbing. Bill finished the houses they lived in. Much of his life was spent as a truck driver and maintenance man. His favorite hobby as a young man and father was projectionist at local theaters. Family camping was his favorite summer pastime while his children were growing up. The highlight of his 25 year career as a Watkins, Inc. Representative was a trip to Portugal with his wife in 1990. He is survived by his wife, Genevieve: four children: Caryle(and Bruce) Clifford of Watson, MN; Donna (and Lee) Dale of Colorado; Rodney Baldus (and best friend Dawn Christie) and Gayle (and Kenneth) Snow Jr., all of Owatonna, MN; nine grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; a brother, Orville Baldus of Owatonna, MN; as well as by a number of nieces and nephews. Looked upon as extended family are Gary and Carolyn Mens, Les and Heidi Hoover and several others Bill and Gen took under their wings while living in Owatonna. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Irwin, Russell, Arnold and Howard Baldus and by sisters: Elizabeth Coffman, Inez Doggett and Naomi Baldus